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Yusra Farzan
What I cover
I am a geek for city council meetings — meaning I watch those long local government meetings so you don’t have to. And I keep you informed on how decisions in Orange County’s 34 cities affect your electricity bill, how your taxes are funding the next big project, the resources available at your child's school and if there is a corruption scandal brewing within your local government. Orange County’s food scene excites me too. If you ask me about the foods of my childhood, I will tell you about its Levantine shawarma, Korean bulgogi, Yemeni mandi, Sri Lankan kottu, Indian chicken 65, Pakistani biriyani and Malaysian nasi lemak. And guess what, I can find it all in O.C. I hope to help people connect with the different communities that call O.C. home.
My background
I grew up in the Middle East, but I am of Sri Lankan descent and I can count people from 27 different nationalities as friends. I got my start in entertainment reporting but soon realized local news has my heart. My work can be found in the Orange County Register, The Guardian US, L.A. Times, Teen Vogue, NPR and BuzzFeed.
My goals
I want to help people understand how if they want to see systemic change in housing, policing, education or healthcare — it all starts at the local level.
Best way to reach me
Covering 34 cities can be a lot, so I need your help in being my eyes and ears on the ground. If you have a tip, you can email me at yfarzan@laist.com or on Signal at username: @yusramf.25
Stories by Yusra Farzan
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LibroMobile is a community arts, culture and history hub run by the city’s youth.
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Nearly a year after LAist started investigating what happened to millions in taxpayer dollars, Do pleaded guilty to federal charges and resigned as an O.C. supervisor. Here are key takeaways from our investigation.
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Dry weather and the city’s dewatering efforts have contributed to the slowdown, even as the area affected by the landslide has roughly doubled.
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Treats you might not have tried but will have everyone talking.
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People say they’re hopeful and anxious for the future.
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Crews have been making steady progress on the Franklin Fire in Malibu Canyon since the red flag conditions subsided.
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One reason food insecurity rates are high, researchers say, is because of the high cost of living.
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The lawsuit alleges Amy Phan West and NamQuan Nguyen repeatedly disrupt meetings.
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In recent years, county officials have run into resistance from cities that are reluctant to host shelters.
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Nguyen says she wants to restore public trust and prioritize efficiency.
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Nguyen was able to take office weeks early to fill the vacancy caused Do’s resignation.
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The audit, which will cover contracts between January 2019 and August 2024, will be more limited in scope than what was first proposed.
